Nigel Goodwin — January 27, 2006 — World
References: thestandard.hk
Google has followed Nixon and gone to China.
The search engine giant has launched a local site for users in the Chinese mainland, Google.cn. The move was not without complications: Google agreed to filter content the Chinese government finds objectionable. The concession drew uncharacteristic criticism for a company which is generally idolized in both the financial and popular media, but the lure of 100 million Internet users simply could not be ignored.
According to The Standard:
"China's Internet is surrounded by a "firewall" intended to block messages or subjects the government finds objectionable - everything from independence for Tibet or Taiwan, to the Buddhist sect Falun Gong...
"The decision is likely to tarnish Google's image with activists and civil libertarians... Yet the prize is too big to ignore. China is home to more than 100 million Internet users, second only to the US, and growing fast."
The search engine giant has launched a local site for users in the Chinese mainland, Google.cn. The move was not without complications: Google agreed to filter content the Chinese government finds objectionable. The concession drew uncharacteristic criticism for a company which is generally idolized in both the financial and popular media, but the lure of 100 million Internet users simply could not be ignored.
According to The Standard:
"China's Internet is surrounded by a "firewall" intended to block messages or subjects the government finds objectionable - everything from independence for Tibet or Taiwan, to the Buddhist sect Falun Gong...
"The decision is likely to tarnish Google's image with activists and civil libertarians... Yet the prize is too big to ignore. China is home to more than 100 million Internet users, second only to the US, and growing fast."
Trend Themes
1. China Internet Market - Opportunity to tap into the rapidly growing market of over 100 million internet users in China, second only to the US.
2. Censorship-compliant Search Engines - Growing demand for search engines that comply with government censorship regulations in countries like China, presenting an opportunity for innovative solutions.
3. Ethical Implications of Corporate Compromises - Companies facing criticism and backlash for compromising ethical standards to gain access to lucrative markets, requiring innovative approaches to balance profitability and values.
Industry Implications
1. Internet Technology - Companies specializing in internet technology can seize the opportunity to develop tailored solutions for the Chinese internet market.
2. Search Engine - Search engine companies have the opportunity to create censorship-compliant platforms for countries with strict government regulations, such as China.
3. Ethics Consultancy - Consultancy firms specializing in ethics can assist companies in navigating the complex terrain of compromising ethical standards while expanding into new markets.
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